Port of Spain (Trinidad), July 12: A beaming India's skipper MS
Dhoni said after leading his team to an amazing victory in the Celkon
Mobile Cup tri-series final against Sri Lanka that he backed his
instincts to get 15 runs in the last over to clinch the match.
Dhoni in his post-match remarks Thursday said he knew any bowler who was
going to bowl the last over would not be as experienced as Lasith
Malinga and he backed himself to get the required runs.
"I knew I could look forward to getting the 15 runs in the last
over as Shaminda Eranga was an inexperienced bowler and my instinct
worked today.
Dhoni said he had to change his bat twice in the closing stages of the
match as he needed a heavier bat.
Dhoni, who pushed his deputy Virat Kohli ahead to receive the $60,000
winners' cheque and the Celkon trophy along with him as Kohli had led
the side to the final, said he was blessed with a smart cricketing sense
in assessing the situation.
A distraught Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews felt that Dhoni was a
great finisher and eventually he made the difference.
Mathews said his team had its opportunities to consolidate the position,
first while batting and then in the field, but their effort fell short
in the end.
"When Kumar Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne were out there at 171 for
two, we looked at a score of 230-240, but we lost quick wickets because
of poor choice of shots," he said, adding that "his bowlers bowled
brilliantly".
On the positive side, Mathews said the team showed a lot of character in
entering the final and also the way they fought till the end.
Indian seamer Bhuvaneshwar Kumar was adjudged the Performer of the
Series and was presented the Polaris car for finishing with 10 wickets
in four matches, sharing the top bowling spot with Sri Lankan spinner
Rengana Herath, who received the Housla Buland Academy award for the
best bowler.
Rohit Sharma for the second match running was presented the Most Trusted
Player award for his well compiled 58 while Dhoni was given the
Man-of-the-Match award for his heroic match-winning 45 not out.
Upul Tharanga and Mahela Jayawardene received the Perfect Partnership
award for scoring centuries opening the innings against India in their
first round-robin game.
Tharanga was the highest scorer in the series with 223 runs followed by
Rohit with 217.
Mathews was given the Most Flexible Player award for his all-round
performance in the series and West Indian Darren Bravo got the Safe
Hands award for fielding.